1. Introduction to the Recipe
Looking for a quick and spooky side dish to add some Halloween flair to your dinner or party spread? This Mummy Garlic Bread delivers the goods—melty cheese, buttery garlic flavor, and just the right amount of creepy charm. It takes a classic favorite and wraps it in a costume worthy of the season, complete with string cheese “bandages” and eerie black olive “eyes.”
It’s perfect as an appetizer, side, or snack for Halloween night. Plus, it’s simple enough that even kids can help assemble it. With a handful of ingredients and about 20 minutes of effort, you can turn a regular loaf of French bread into something worthy of a haunted buffet.
The string cheese not only adds gooey, melty goodness, but when laid across the bread in a crisscross pattern, it mimics mummy wrappings for a fun visual twist. A couple of black olive halves make great edible eyes, and fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to the garlicky butter spread.
Need help making the best garlic butter base? Check out this simple garlic butter recipe. Want to round out your Halloween meal? Pair this with spooky pasta dishes for a full fright-night feast.
2. Basic Recipe: Ingredients and Instructions
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Mummy Garlic Bread Recipe – Spooky Halloween Side
Description
This cheesy Mummy Garlic Bread is creepy, garlicky, and easy—perfect for Halloween dinners or themed party platters!
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- Black olive halves
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 375°F.
- Prep the bread: Slice the French bread in half lengthwise and place it cut-side up on a baking sheet.
- Make garlic butter: In a bowl, mix softened butter, minced garlic, salt, and chopped parsley until well combined.
- Spread butter mixture: Evenly spread the garlic butter mixture over each bread half.
- Add string cheese: Pull apart the string cheese into strips and lay them across the bread in a crisscross “mummy” pattern, leaving a small space for the eyes.
- Add olive eyes: Place two olive halves near the top of each bread half to resemble eyes.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the bread are golden.
- Serve: Slice and serve warm. Great with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a pinch of Italian seasoning to the butter mix.
Want more melty cheese? Add shredded mozzarella beneath the string cheese.
Use mini pepperoni slices instead of olives for eye variations.
3. Advanced Techniques
Infuse Butter with Garlic Ahead of Time
For next-level flavor, melt your butter and steep it with fresh minced garlic over low heat for 5–10 minutes. Let it cool and re-solidify before using. This mellows the garlic and infuses the butter deeply.
Make Mini Mummy Garlic Bread Bites
Instead of using a whole loaf, slice a baguette into smaller rounds or sections. Top each with garlic butter, crisscross string cheese, and mini olive slices for individual servings. Great for party trays or lunchboxes.
Add Color with Veggie Accents
Thin strips of roasted red pepper or spinach can be woven with the cheese for a colorful mummy wrap. These ingredients add flavor and a pop of color without changing the theme.
Serve with Bloody Dipping Sauce
Pair your mummy bread with warm marinara or roasted red pepper sauce in a cauldron-style bowl. Label it as “Mummy Blood” for added Halloween fun. Garnish with more olive “eyeballs.”
Crispier Mummy Wraps
If you prefer a firmer texture, bake the bread for 5 minutes before adding cheese and then return it to the oven until the cheese melts. This gives the bread extra crunch and structure.
4. Storage, Shelf Life, and Maintenance Tips
Short-Term Storage
Store leftover mummy bread in an airtight container or wrap tightly in foil. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or toaster oven to retain crispiness.
Freezing Garlic Bread
You can freeze before or after baking. To freeze pre-baked: assemble bread, wrap tightly, and freeze. Bake from frozen at 375°F for 15–18 minutes. To freeze baked: cool completely, wrap, and reheat at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Avoid Soggy Bread
To keep bread crispy, avoid wrapping in plastic wrap when warm. Always let cool before storing and reheat uncovered.
Prepping Ahead of Time
You can prep the garlic butter and slice the cheese in advance. Assemble the bread just before baking for the freshest result.
Use a Wire Rack for Reheating
When reheating, place the bread on a wire rack over a baking sheet. This allows air to circulate and keeps the bottom from getting soggy.
5. Dietary Adaptations and Substitutions
Vegan Mummy Garlic Bread
Use plant-based butter and vegan string cheese or mozzarella slices. Black olives are naturally vegan, so you can keep the spooky vibe intact.
Gluten-Free Option
Use a gluten-free baguette or French bread. Most larger stores carry good gluten-free bread options that hold up well to garlic butter and cheese.
Low-Sodium Adaptation
Skip the added salt and use unsalted butter. Choose low-sodium cheese or mozzarella alternatives. The garlic and parsley provide enough flavor on their own.
Dairy-Free Version
Substitute butter with a dairy-free spread and use dairy-free cheese sticks or slices. Brands like Violife and Daiya offer good melting alternatives.
Nut-Free and Allergy-Safe
This recipe is naturally nut-free. Just be sure all your ingredients (especially butter and cheese) are processed in nut-free facilities if needed.
6. FAQs About the Recipe
Can I use pre-shredded cheese instead of string cheese?
You can, but string cheese gives the best visual effect. If using shredded cheese, try laying it in strips or use sliced mozzarella cut into thin bands.
What kind of bread works best?
A classic French bread or Italian loaf works great. Avoid super crusty breads like ciabatta, which may be too tough and not absorb the butter as well.
Can I prep these in advance?
Yes. Assemble up to a day in advance, store wrapped in the fridge, and bake when ready to serve. For best results, slice cheese fresh the day of.
How do I keep the cheese from sliding off?
Make sure your butter isn’t too oily and place cheese strips on a warm (not hot) surface. Baking immediately after assembling helps them stay in place.
Can kids help with this recipe?
Absolutely! They can spread the butter, layer the cheese, and add the olive eyes. It’s a fun and safe Halloween kitchen activity.
7. Conclusion & Final Thoughts
Mummy Garlic Bread is a quick and clever way to bring Halloween spirit to your table without complicated steps or ingredients. It’s cheesy, buttery, crunchy, and just the right amount of creepy. Perfect as a snack, side, or party dish, it pairs well with soups, pastas, or spooky-themed dinners.
The best part is how flexible it is—go big with a full loaf or make minis for kids. Keep it classic or add fun twists with sauces and veggies. However you slice it, this recipe is guaranteed to disappear fast.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd, making a Halloween dinner at home, or just want something festive for the season, this Mummy Garlic Bread hits the mark. Simple, silly, and seriously tasty—it’s a must-add to your October menu.